Howtoons: Tools Of Mass Construction Preview Released

Image Comics is bringing the "maker mentality" to a new generation in Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction, a new graphic novel from MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" recipient Saul Griffith, Joost Bonsen, Nick Dragotta (East of West) and Ingrid Dragotta.

Howtoons tells the story of Celine and Tucker, a brother-and-sister duo who are challenged by their mother to make something other than trouble. Seeing the potential for play everywhere, Celine and Tucker embark on a DIY-adventure.

The 360-page Howtoons graphic novel invites kids into Celine and Tucker's world, showing them how to create toys out of everyday objects using the real-life principals of science and engineering.

In "The Legend of the Monkey Fist Clan," the siblings learn to build a tree swing. In "The Infamous Marshmallow Shooter," they learn that the best first-person shooter isn't found in a video game. Celine and Tucker set up their own workshop, make ice cream without a freezer, play music with a turkey baster, and launch rockets. Integrated into the storytelling are instructions for projects that engage kids' creativity and natural interest in how the world around them works.

"We need every generation to be enabled to create their world," the creators write in the introduction to Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction. "It starts with creativity and inventing one's own toys and games. It involves knowledge of tools, materials, and process. It will be beautiful as we marry the art with the science, and the design with the engineering. Come play with us."

Saul Griffith will be a gust at the first-ever White House Maker Faire, hosted by President Obama, on June 18, where he will present Howtoons.

Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction goes on sale in comic shops July 23 and bookstores August 9.